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When charging LiPo/LiIon/LiFe batteries, if the voltage of any cell (when balancing is ON) or all cells
are too low (below ~3.3V) the charger may charge at a rate lower than the charge current rate set
before the charge process began and until the voltage is considered safe/high enough to charge the
battery normally. Or, if the voltages of all cells are OK the charger will increase the current until it
reaches the appropriate charge current rate. And in either case charging will be in the Constant
Current phase, as indicated by the ‘CC’ located in the middle of the upper line on the screen, until the
cells reach approximately 4.20V.
At that point, and as long as cells are balanced within 0.03V (when balancing is ON), charging will
switch to the Constant Voltage phase as indicated by the ‘CV’ that will show in placed of ‘CC’. Or, if
any cell is imbalanced by more than 0.03V charging will instead switch from the Constant Current
phase to the Extended Balance phase, as indicated by the EB that will show in place of CC/CV. This
will allow the charger to adjust the charge current rate as needed to ensure the cells are balanced to
within 0.03V (or closer) before the charge process is ended automatically.
Data Monitoring During Charging
Throughout (and after) the charge process you can view/monitor various data. On the main charging
screen you will see the elapsed duration of the charge process, the capacity that’s been ‘charged’ into
the battery, the charge current rate and the voltage of the battery. You can also use the +/
– buttons
to switch between the various screens to see the available data.
For example, when charging a LiPo/LiIon/LiFe battery and on the charging screen simply press the +
button once and you will see the individual cell voltages (when balancing is turned ON).
Please also
note that while only the second (hundredths) place after the decimal is shown due to the space
available on the screen (in order to show voltages for up to 8 cells on a single screen), the
charger is measuring and calculating the voltages/balance by using to the third (thousandths)
place. This means when you see a cell at 3.80V and another at 3.82V the cells are likely as
close as 3.804V and 3.816V, but the values on the screen are being rounded up and down
accordingly.
If you press the + button a second time you’ll again see the elapsed time, as well as the internal
temperature of the charger and the peak voltage the battery has reached through the duration of the
charge process so far. Then, pressing the + button a third time will show the elapsed time along with
the input voltage from the power source. This can be particularly useful, especially when pushing the
input power source near its limits and/or when using a 12V (or 24V) Pb/lead-acid battery, to ensure
the voltage is not dropping too much when under load during the charging process. Please also note
that while only the second (hundredths) place after the decimal is shown the charger is measuring
and calculating the input voltage by using to the third (thousandths) place. This means the input
voltage reading may appear to move up and down slightly, however, as long as it is not fluctuating by
more than ~0.03V the input voltage/power is indeed smooth and stable.
When charging a NiCd/NiMH/Pb (lead-acid) battery, the first time you press the + button you will see
the elapsed time along with the average voltage of the battery that would show after a discharge
process has ended. Pressing the + button a second time will show the internal temperature of the
charger and the peak voltage the battery reached during the charge process, while pressing the +
button a third time will show the elapsed time along with the input voltage from the power source.
Prior to charging, please review the Charge End Voltage information under the SETTING DATA
MODE section found later in this manual.
